Wire-clip retaining means for tip-retaining pin

ABSTRACT

A retaining means for an earth-working tip member which means consists of a wire clip member bonded into a section of resilient material, which clip member and section engage and secure a tipretaining pin or bar member. The wire clip member and section firmly hold the tip-retaining pin in place during normal use but readily release it when desired for removal thereof and release of the tip member. In operative position, the wire clip and section position the pin in such a manner that it is not a loadcarrying member.

United States Patent 1191 Heinold et al.,

[ WIRE-CLIP RETAINING MEANS FOR TIP-RETAINING PIN [75] Inventors: Lloyd K. Heinold; Eugene L. Helton, both of Peoria, 111.

[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, Ill.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 188,016

[52] 11.8. CI 403/318, 403/379, 37/142 A,

299/92 [51] Int. Cl F161! 3/00 [58] Field of Search 37/142 A, 142 R, 141 T;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,107,409 10/1963 Arthaud et a1. 24/218 3,624,827 11 1971 Liess 37/142 R 2,483,032 9/1949 Baer 37 142 A 14 1 Apr. 2, 1974 Baer 37/142 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 649,066 9/1962 Canada 24/216 2,015,662 11/1970 Germany Primary ExaminerAndrew V. Kundrat Attorney, Agent, or FirmFryer, Tjensvold, Phillips & Lempio [57] ABSTRACT 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAPR 2:914 $801,210

sum 1 nr 2 INVENTORS 33 LLOYD K. HEINOLD EUGENE L. HELTON ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAPR 2M4 SHEET 2 [IF 2 P.LE E

W Elg E /Z() \F QZ/ '26 H 22 I2 20 30 34 22 W m INVENTORS LL D K. HEINOLD EU NE L. HELTON ATTORNEYS WIRE-CLIP RETAINING MEANS FOR TIP-RETAINING PIN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION other equipment, such as a rock crusher, should an errant tip member find its way into the expensive mechanism thereof.

The earth-working tip member must also be readily removable and installation must be possible in the field by means of simple tools such as a hammer and drift pin.

Cost is another factor which must be considered in providing retaining means for the tip members. Because of frequent handling and replacement, retaining means must be economically manufactured, without a sacrifice in retention capacity, and with a minimum of special tooling for the adapter and earth-working tip memberv associated with the means. The retaining means may be economically produced if designed in such a way that the essential retaining parts are not load-carrying members. Without necessary provision for the heavy axial and lateral forces generally imposed upon earth-working tip members, the retaining means need not be especially strong or made from heavy structural materials. I

In the past, attempts have been made to provide a retaining means which would simultaneously fulfill all of the above-mentioned criteria. An example of such attempts is shown by the patent to Stephenson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,035, wherein a rubber insert is provided to releasably retaina tip-holding wedge in place. However, the holding or retaining device of the patented system is designed to exert a force which itself urges the tip member into engagement with the adapter part provided. That is, the rubber insert member in the Stephenson assemblage bears in one direction against SUMMARY OFTI-IE INVENTION The instant earth-working, tip-retaining system comprises a locking means which provides for positive retention of the ground-engaging tip member. Wire clip means engage a groove machined in a retainer bar or pin to hold and prevent such bar or pin from moving out of position. The wire clip is supportingly imbedded in a plug made of rubber or other resilient material. The resiliency of the holding material forces the wire clip into engagement with the groove in the retaining pin. The resilient plug substantially fills a passageway through the tip adapter and tip member so that dirt and other materials are unable to enter and affect the locking operation of the wire clip. The retaining pin is not urged into engagement with either th'e adapter or the tip member by the wire clip and plug means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cut-away side elevation of an adapter having a tip member mounted thereupon and retained by one embodiment of the locking means of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation, partially in section, of the adapter and tip member combination shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric showing of one embodiment of the retaining bar or pin means of the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a slightly modified version of the instant retaining pin;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternate embodiment of the instant wire clip locking means;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a further embodiment of the'locking means of the present invention; and I FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken 'along the lines VIII--VIII of FIG. 7.

- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS tion 12 and the socket cavity. The forward-leading stirface 18 of the nose portion abuts the root surface 19 of the cavity 16 and provides an axial stop for the tip member.

This arrangement assures that substantially all axial loading is borne by the solidly-formed contacting surfaces between the leading edge of the adapter and the root portion of the tip member cavity. 7

Two wire clip elements 20 are positioned in a mutually-opposed relationship and are molded into a relatively thin, rectangular section 22 of resilient material, such as rubber or the like. Each of the wire clip elements has two portions; one of which is a straight section and the other is a J-shaped section disposed normally to the straight section. Forming a portion of the clip elements into a J-shape improves the strength of the bond between the rubber section and the element.

Rubber section 22 has a bore 26 formed therethrough for receiving a tip retainer bar or pin 30. In practice, section 22 is inserted into a horizontallyoriented, rectangularly-shaped slot 24 in the adapter nose portion prior to the installation of the tip member thereupon. When installed, the rubber section is centrally located within the slot and, if dimensioned slightly larger than said slot so as to create a tight fit, will remain in this position to facilitate insertion of the retainer pin, when desired.

A part of the J-shaped section of the wire clip element extends within the bore 26 of the rubber section.

To utilize the retaining device, a retaining pin 30 is inserted into said bore by means of a drift pin and hammer, or the like. The pin passes through close-fitting, horizontally-aligned, rectangular slots 32 and 34 in the tip member and adapter, respectively. Insertion of the retainer pin or bar through the bore of the rubber section forces the J-shaped sections outwardly, stretching the adjacent sides 36' of the rubber section and biasing the clip elements into firm engagement with the retainer pin or bar. The retaining pin or bar is driven into the slots 32 and 34 until the J-shaped portions of the wire clips engage a pair of grooves 38 in the bar.

I This procedure assures that the tip retaining bar is positively held in the installed position by the wire clip elements. It should be noted at this point, however, that the retaining pin or bar exerts no axial forces upon the tip member or upon the adapter 12 by virtue of the biasing afforded by the wire clip elements. Said elements act only upon the retaining pin and said pin is not urged thereby to move in any particular direction.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, it can be seen that a clearance exists between the retaining bar, adapter, and tip slots. In use, the tip member 14 transmits axial forces only through the root section 19 to the nose section of the adapter 18, as previously indicated. Axial loads are carried by this adapter section and not by the retaining bar orby the wire clip and rubber sections, thus allowing the economical use of much lighter and less expensive materials in the fabrication of these components. Minor forces, encountered in practice, which may act upon the axial ends of the retaining pin will deflect the rubber section slightly but the wire clip elements will remain engaged in the grooves 38. Only a substantial'force from a driving tool or the like will cause the displacement of the retaining pin from the bore of the rubber section, when desired.

The instant design provides for the removal of a minimum amount of material in the manufacture of the slots 32 and 34 which receive the retaining bar and locking device elements. This assures that the adapter and tip member will be sufficiently strong for the purpose intended.

Additionally, the rectangular, cross-sectional shape of the retaining bar, oriented in the particular manner shown, provides a greater surface area in the direction of load application for any given hole size. That is, axial forces which would tend to pull the tip off the adapter, vis a vis axially-compressive forces during loading,

would be resisted by the rear edge portion 40 of the retaining pin and forces therefrom would be transmitted through the entire width of the retaining pin to the front surface 47 thereof.

FIG. 4 in the drawings discloses a slightly modified design for the adapter, tip member, and retaining pin of the instant invention.- In this arrangement, the interior top and bottom surfaces 41 and 42 of the tipmember socket cavity 16', as well as the exterior portions of the upper and lower surfaces 44 and 46 of the adapter 12, are inclined with respect to each other, as hereinbefore described. However, the rear central portions 44' and 46' of the adapter are recessed, and the rear interior surfaces 40' and 42 of the tip member conform generallyto the same profile. The clearances between the recessed surfaces are greater than the clearances between the inclined surfaces such that contact between the inclined surfaces occurs as a result of lateral 'tip loading applied to theend of the tip. The additional material in the rear central portion of the upper and lower slot walls of the tip member provides more surface for possible contact between the retainer pin 30' and the tip member slots 32', thus permitting the axial ends of the retainer pin to be cut squarely as shown at 33.

FIGS. and 6 show another embodiment of the instant invention wherein the wire clip retaining means are U-shaped instead of being shaped as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. I

The operation of the wire clips and the manner in which they engage the retaining pin 30 are the same engaging means operatively exerting equal and opposas previously described. It can be seen, however, that the leg portions of the wire clip members extend outwardly beyond the confines of the rubber section 22 within which the clips are bonded. This outward extension of the leg portions provides a centering function which can be easily appreciated with reference to FIG. 5. With the tip member 14 in position, the bore 26 of the rubber section 22 is held centrally of the adapter slot 34 so that the retaining pin or bar 30 can be readily received therein.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose another slightly modified arrangement of the same invention in which two flat plates 39 are bonded into the rubber section 22 in lieu of the wire clips 20'. The purpose and operation of these plates are identical to those described for the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.

In none of the above-described designs does the retaining piri'or bar urge the tip member toward the adapter. As previously discussed, the retaining pin or bar is not intended as a load carrying member, nor do the wire clip and rubber section assbmblies carry a load except for that exerted thereupon by the retaining pin.

It should be recognized that the tip members and adapters shown could be modified so that the retaining pin or bar could be inserted either from the side or top portions of the tip member. In some applications, such as the retention of a tip on an excavator bucket, the horizontal bar or pin is not used due to the close relationships between adjacent teeth making removal of the bar or pin extremely difficult.

It should also be noted that the particular shape of the retaining pin bar may be altered where desired so long as its retention capacity is preserved and the space required to house it is kept to a minimum to maintain V l. A pin retaining means for releasably securing the position of a pin comprising; a resilient member having a pin-receiving bore therethrough, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said resilient member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin itely-directed holding forces upon said pin, said pin engaging means including wire clip elements each having a J-shaped portion and a straight portion disposed normally thereto wherein said straight portion and a part of said J -shaped portion are firmly supported in said resilient member.

2. A means for retaining an earth-working tip member upon an adapter member including a retainer pin having flat parallel opposite side surfaces and parallel end surfaces disposed normally to said side surfaces, aligned pin-receiving slot means in said adapter member and in said tip member, a section member of resilient material mounted within a hollow portion of said adapter member, a pin-receiving bore in said section member, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said section member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means operatively exerting equal and oppositely directed holding forces upon opposite surfaces of said retainer pin to releasably secure said pin within said bore, said retainer pin having groove means in said opposite surfaces and wherein said pin engaging means releasably engage said groove means.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said pin engaging means include wire clip elements which are U-shaped and wherein the leg portions of said elements are firmly supported in said section member.

4. A means for retaining an earth-working tip member upon an adapter member including a retainer pin, aligned pin-receiving slot means in said adapter member and in said tip member, a section member of resilient material mounted within a hollow portion of said adapter member, a pin-receiving bore in said section member, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said section member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means including opposed plate elements supported in said section member and partically extending into said bore and operatively exerting equal and oppositely directed holding forces upon opposite surfaces of said retainer pin to releasably secure said pin within said bore.

5. A means for retaining an earth-working tip member upon an adapter member including a retainer pin, aligned pin-receiving slot means in said adapter member and in said tip member, a section member of resilient material mounted within a hollow portion of said adapter member, a pin-receiving bore in said section member, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said section member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means operatively exerting equal and oppositely directed holding forces upon opposite surfaces of said retainer pin to releasably secure said pin within said bore, said pin engaging means include opposed wire clip elements each having a J-shaped portion and a straight portion disposed normally thereto and wherein said straight portion and a part of said J-shaped portions are firmly supported within said section member. 

1. A pin retaining means for releasably securing the position of a pin comprising; a resilient member having a pin-receiving bore therethrough, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said resilient member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means operatively exerting equal and oppositely-directed holding forces upon said pin, said pin engaging means including wire clip elements each having a Jshaped portion and a straight portion disposed normally thereto wherein said straight portion and a part of said J-shaped portion are firmly supported in said resilient member.
 2. A means for retaining an earth-working tip member upon an adapter member including a retainer pin having flat parallel opposite side surfaces and parallel end surfaces disposed normally to said side surfaces, aligned pin-receiving slot means in said adapter member and in said tip member, a section member of resilient material mounted within a hollow portion of said adapter member, a pin-receiving bore in said section member, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said section member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means operatively exerting equal and oppositely directed holding forces upon opposite surfaces of said retainer pin to releasably secure said pin within said bore, said retainer pin having groove means in said opposite surfaces and wherein said pin engaging means releasably engage said groove means.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said pin engaging means include wire clip elements which are U-shaped and wherein the leg portions of said elements are firmly supported in said section member.
 4. A means for retaining an earth-working tip member upon an adapter member including a retainer pin, aligned pin-receiving slot means in said adapter member and in said tip member, a section member of resilient material mounted within a hollow portion of said adapter member, a pin-receiving bore in said section member, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said section member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means including opposed plate elements supported in said section member anD partically extending into said bore and operatively exerting equal and oppositely directed holding forces upon opposite surfaces of said retainer pin to releasably secure said pin within said bore.
 5. A means for retaining an earth-working tip member upon an adapter member including a retainer pin, aligned pin-receiving slot means in said adapter member and in said tip member, a section member of resilient material mounted within a hollow portion of said adapter member, a pin-receiving bore in said section member, pin engaging means resiliently supported in said section member and extending partially into said pin-receiving bore, said pin engaging means operatively exerting equal and oppositely directed holding forces upon opposite surfaces of said retainer pin to releasably secure said pin within said bore, said pin engaging means include opposed wire clip elements each having a J-shaped portion and a straight portion disposed normally thereto and wherein said straight portion and a part of said J-shaped portions are firmly supported within said section member. 